Effect of thymoquinone on transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channels in rats with liver ischemia reperfusion model in rats.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the levels of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) gene expression, and the antioxidant and histopathologic effect of thymoquinone (Tmq) in the hepatic I/R rat model. Materials and Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1: Control; Group 2: Sham; Group 3: Hepatic I/R (45 min/45 min); Group 4: Tmq (50 mg/kg); Group 5: Tmq+I/R (ten days before I/R at the dose of 50 mg/kg of Tmq). The hepatic I/R (45min/45min) model was performed at the portal vein and the hepatic artery with atraumatic vascular clamp in the ischemia groups. The liver tissues and blood samples that were taken at the end of the study were evaluated for histopathologic and biochemical analysis. Besides TRPM gene expression levels were determined in liver tissues. It was seen that cellular swelling, congestion, PNL, and apoptosis parameters statistically decreased in Tmq and Tmq+I/R groups in comparison with the I/R group in histopathological evaluation. Results: It was observed that biochemical parameters, AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, creatinine, and urea levels significantly increased in the I/R group as compared with, sham, Tmq, and Tmq+I/R groups. It was found that TRPM2,6,7,8 gene expression decreased significantly in Tmq+I/R groups as compared to the I/R group. Conclusion: We showed that thymoquinone can inhibit the entry of Ca+2 into the cell by decreasing TRPM2,6,7,8 gene expression. Based on our findings, we think that Tmq application in the treatment of liver diseases due to I/R damage may be important in terms of both ischemia and apoptosis and can also be used in the treatment of liver-related diseases.

Investigation of thermal damage in bone drilling: Hybrid processing method and pathological evaluation of existing methods.

In this study, a hybrid processing method using saline and cryogen cooler is proposed to keep the temperature below the threshold level during bone drilling. Drilling experiments were performed dry, saline, cryogen and, hybrid (saline + cryogen). At the end of the experiment, tool wear, the effect of the methods on the temperature, and the pathological evaluation of the thermal damage were investigated. The advantageous methods for bone drilling were proposed as a hybrid, saline, cryogenic and dry machining, respectively. In addition, it was observed that when cryogen was applied directly to the cutting area, it caused damage to the cell wall structure by the formation of ice crystals in the bone matrix. For this reason, it was recommended to be applied to the body of the cutting tool and it was found that cryogen flow rate has a significant effect on tool wear.

Pancreatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presenting with extracolonic obstruction.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare soft tissue tumor which can be detected in many parts of the body. Its etiology and clinical behavior are not fully understood, and its treatment is controversial. This study aimed to present the management of a pancreatic tail case presenting with extracolonic obstruction findings. Unblock distal pancreatectomy + left surrenalectomy + left hemicolectomy + splenectomy operation was made with R0 resection principles. Although there are some medical treatments reported in children and unresectable tumors in the medical literature, complete surgical resection following oncological principles seems to be the most important and main treatment modality in the treatment of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. However, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor has many aspects that are not yet clearly understood, and it is a disease being continuously researched.

Exterior air quality monitoring for the Eurasia Tunnel in Istanbul, Turkey.

Traffic is a major concern for the city of Istanbul due to the rapid increase in population and car ownership. Eurasia Tunnel, which has a capacity around 100,000 light vehicles/day, is the fourth highway link between Asia and Europe, established to relieve the existing pressure on the transport system. As an important alternative to other Bosphorus Strait crossings, the tunnel offers directly reduced traffic durations in the city especially during rush hours and indirectly provides reduced fuel consumption, thereby less harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the air quality effects of the Eurasia Tunnel on the city of Istanbul through investigating the air quality 1 year before and 2 years after operation, and comparing the hourly and daily pollutant levels with tunnel traffic. Monitoring data were examined to detect the relationships between selected pollutant concentrations, to evaluate meteorology effects on the pollutants and to identify air quality impact of the Eurasia Tunnel. Analyses revealed that air pollutants concentrations do not increase with increase in tunnel traffic. Moreover, since the tunnel entered operation, average hourly CO, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at monitoring stations located close to the stacks have decreased 16-30%, 44-46% and 12-24%, respectively. Average NO2 concentrations increased about 9-24%, but these concentrations still remain below the 1-hour standard. All in all, Eurasia Tunnel has no significant effect on the Istanbul's air quality.

Air quality impact assessment for the Eurasia Tunnel in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Eurasia Tunnel, a 5.4-km tunnel connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, Turkey, was opened for operation in December 2016. This paper describes the air quality modeling that was conducted during the design phase of the structure, to evaluate the impact of the tunnel traffic on ambient air quality in the vicinity of the tunnel. The ventilation of the tunnel consists of longitudinal forced ventilation with vertical extraction through two stacks located near the Asian and European portals of the tunnel. The analysis was conducted using the AERMOD computer program for three pollutants CO, NO2, and PM10. Model results show that pollutants will rapidly disperse once released from the stack and will not affect air quality in the vicinity of the tunnel. The most critical parameters which controlled the ventilation system design were found to be NO2 and PM10. Maximum concentrations are not expected to violate the pertinent Turkish and EU air quality standards. Overall, this analysis shows that the ventilation system is efficient for the dispersion of the pollutants.

The effect of Hypericum Perforatum on wound healing of oral mucosa in diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of the topical application of Hypericum perforatum on the healing of surgical wounds created in the oral mucosa of rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 48 adult male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into two main groups as control and study groups. Two main groups were divided into three subgroups according to the sacrification days. All rats were given streptozotocin 60 mg/kg, after 72 hours, and those having blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dL were included in the study. Mucosal defects were created in the palatal area of the rats. H. perforatum oil was applied topically twice a day to the wounds of the rats in the study group. Animal were sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th and 10th days and samples taken from the palatal wounds were examined histologically and biochemically. RESULTS: On the 7th day, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and hydroxyproline variables showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Ulceration, necrosis and polymorphonuclear leukocytes values were higher in the control group, whereas epithelialization and hydroxyproline values were found to be higher in the H. perforatum group. Among 10th-day groups, there was only a statistically significant difference between the values of hydroxyproline, whereas H. perforatum-treated group showed high hydroxyproline levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Topically applied H. perforatum did not create any difference on the 3rd day, but it has positively affected the wound healing on the 7th and 10th days in diabetic rats.

The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and thymoquinone on otitis media with effusion in rats.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of CAPE and thymoquinone in experimental rat otitis media with effusion (OME) model. METHODS: Intraoral approach of eustachian tube orifice cauterization were administered to 36 of 40 rats participating the study. After application of exclusion criterias, 22 rats with appropriate conditions were determined. Totally 26 rats (44 otitis model ears and 8 normal ears) were randomly divided into 5 groups. While group I was consisted of healthy rats, the other groups were consisted of rats with otitis model. Group I (saline + control group; n = 8 normal ears) and group II (saline + otitis model; n = 10 otitis model ears) received intraperitoneally saline solution. CAPE was given intraperitoneally to group III (CAPE + otitis model; n = 12 otitis model ears) at a concentration of 10 mg/kg for treatment of otitis media. Group IV (thymoquinone + otitis model; n = 12 otitis model ears) was treated orally with 10 mg/kg of thymoquinone. Group V (methylprednisolone + otitis model; n = 10 otitis model ears) was treated intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg of methylprednisolone. Tympanic bulla samples were excised after 10th day of treatment and examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Submucosal neutrophil leukocyte count of group I was significantly lower than other groups (II, IV, V) (respectively p < 0,0001, p < 0,001, p < 0,0001, Tukey test), while it was not significantly different from group III (p = 0,056, Tukey test). Submucosal neutrophil leukocyte count of group III was significantly lower than group II and group V (p = 0.029 ve p = 0.03, Tukey test). There was no significant difference between group IV and group V (p = 0,28, Tukey test). CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it could be suggested that CAPE, anti inflammatory properties proven in the literature, plays an important role in OME treatment.

Mean Platelet Volume-A Predictive Factor for the Diagnosis of Nonsymptomatic Prostatitis: Results of Univariate and Multivariate Models.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been reported to be related to inflammation. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate, and this protein may be elevated for several reasons, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and/or cancer. The aim of the current study was to investigate the predictive effect of MPV values on nonsymptomatic prostatitis diagnosis and the relation between MPV and PSA. A total of 275 patients, 89 affected by benign prostate hyperplasia, 94 by prostate adenocancer, and 92 by prostatitis were included in the current study. PSA, total blood count parameters, and urine analysis were investigated. Findings were compared with the groups. The correlation between MPV and the other parameters were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of nonsymptomatic prostatitis diagnosis. MPV was significantly higher in patients with nonsymptomatic prostatitis than the other groups. There were negative correlations between MPV and age, total PSA or free PSA ( r = -.123; p = .042, r = -.235; p < .001, r = -.184; p = .006, respectively). According to multivariate regression model, only MPV was identified as the predictive factor for nonsymptomatic prostatitis (odds ratio: 1.451, 95% confidence interval [1.116, 1.887], p = .005). MPV, in the absence of other reasons that increased the MPV level, was significantly increased in cases with nonsymptomatic prostatitis; this increase is significantly higher than elevated PSA level in nonsymptomatic prostatitis patients. MPV could have a predictive value for the diagnosis of nonsymptomatic prostatitis.

Hepatotoxicity of illegal home-made alcohols.

OBJECTIVE AND AIM: Alcohol-related hepatotoxicity is not only caused by excessive alcohol consumption but also caused and even accelerated by hepatotoxic ingredients other than ethanol. Concentrations of hepatotoxic substances might be significantly high, particularly in illegally produced home-made alcohols. In this study we aim to analyze the hepatotoxic effects of a home-made alcohol traditionally called "bogma raki" in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty Wistar albino male rats were used. Five groups were randomly formed with ten animals in each. Besides laboratory diets, groups were fed as follows: Group 1 (control group) distilled water; Group 2 bogma raki with distilled water (%44 (v/v), 9.2 ml/kg/day); Group 3 bogma raki with distilled water (%44 (v/v), 9.2 ml/kg/day)+walnut (10 g/kg/day); Group 4 whisky with distilled water (%40 (v/v), 9.2 ml/kg/day); Group 5 distilled water + walnut (10 g/kg/day), for 28 days. The toxicological analysis of The spirits were analyzed using Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, CA) GC/MS system with HP 6890 gas chromatograph, an HP 5972 mass selective detector (MSD) and an HP 6890 automatic liquid sampler GC/MS; the pressure of the carrier gas helium was 6.0 bar and the split value with a ratio of 1:100. The injection unit temperature set to 250 °C and MS quadrupole temperature set to 280 °C. The MS quadrupole detector ionization energy set to 70 eV. The initial column temperature was 60 °C (for 4 min) programmed by 6 °C/min to final temperature 160 °C and kept for 8 min at 160 °C. Utilized whisky and bogma raki samples were analyzed for the amounts of trans-anethole, ethanol, methanol, 1-propanolol, butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanolol (isobutanol) and 3-methylbutanol (isoamyl alcohol). Histopathological changes in liver tissues were graded as follows; normal = 0 (<10%), mild = 1 (10%-40%), moderate = 2 (40%-70%), severe = 3 (above 70%). RESULTS: Chemical composition of illegally produced raki sample (%v/v) was as follows: trans-anethole %1.93, ethanol %95.70, 2-methyl-1-propanolol (isobutanol) %0.19, asetic acid %0.25, 3-methylbutanol (isoamyl alcohol) %0.77, and others %1.16. Chemical composition of commercial whisky sample (%v/v) was as follows: ethanol %97.72, 2-methyl-1-propanolol (isobutanol) %0.57, asetic acid %0.23, 3-methylbutanol (isoamyl alcohol) %1.28, and others %0.2. No traces of trans-anethole were detected in whisky. Normal liver morphology was recorded in control and walnut groups. However, bogma raki caused significant congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration compared to control and walnut group. On the other hand, whisky administration caused mild degeneration including inflammation in a limited area. CONCLUSION: Obtained findings suggest that trans-anethole containing alcoholic beverages are more hepatotoxic compared to commercial alcoholic beverages.

Systemic side effects of locally used oxymetazoline.

OBJECTIVES: The object of the study is to experimentally investigate the possible systemic side effects of Oxymetazoline including its nasal spray which has been in use for a long time both by the physicians and patients. There is no study in the literature to address the damages of oxymetazoline on the end organ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study conducted on 2 groups of rat. Group 1 (n = 8): Control; and Group 2 (n = 8): Oxymetazoline. During 4 week, the control group was applied with 2 drops of saline water on each nasal cavity 3 times a day and the other group was applied with 2 drops of oxymetazoline HCl 3 times a day. At the end of experiment, samples from mandible, parotid and tails of the rats were taken in 10% formalin for histopathological investigations. RESULTS: In histopathological experiments, when compared with the control group, the oxymetazoline group showed significant increase in many of the histopathological parameters (ischemic changes: P = 0.0001; congestion: P = 0.0006; arterial thrombosis: P = Ns; PNL accumulations: P = 0.001; necrosis: P = 0.0001; and ulceration: P = 0.014). The results of histopathologic tests on the samples taken from mandible and parotid gland, in comparison with the control group, showed no significant increase (focal inflammation: P = Ns; and lymphocyte aggregation: P = Ns). CONCLUSION: Due to the damage that the long-term use of nasal spray including oxymetazoline, it may cause injury on the end organ, which we revealed in our histopathological experiments. We believe that it's essential for the physicians to provide information on the side effects of the medicine to their patients who use for a long term.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the dose-dependent acute nephrotoxicity with paraquat in a rat model.

Paraquat (PQ), which is used extensively as a potent herbicide throughout the world, is highly toxic in humans. We aimed to determine PQ-induced biochemical and histologic changes in the kidneys, and to evaluate the ability of the protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against PQ-induced injury in rats. Forty-eight rats were divided into eight groups of six: Group 1: Control; Group 2: 10 µmol/kg CAPE; Group 3: 15 mg/kg PQ; Group 4: 30 mg/kg PQ; Group 5: 45 mg/kg PQ; Group 6: 15 mg/kg PQ+CAPE; Group 7: 30 mg/kg PQ+CAPE; Group 8: 45 mg/kg PQ+CAPE. PQ and CAPE were injected intraperitoneally. The levels of the total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in the supernatants of the excised left kidney. Right kidney tissue of each rat was removed to obtain a histologic score. When PQ-administrated (15, 30, 45) groups compared with other groups, TOS values were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01). PQ (15, 30, 45) groups had significantly diminished values of TAS than the other groups (p < 0.001). Of histologic score evaluation, only the PQ45 group had a significantly higher value than the sham, and CAPE groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, in CAPE+PQ45 group, the level of histologic score was decreased compared to PQ45 group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the evaluation of the data suggests that CAPE can be used to prevent the acute effects of PQ nephrotoxicity.

Ameliorating effect of quercetin on acute pentylenetetrazole induced seizures in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study to elicit effects of pure quercetin in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin induced seizures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each animal group was divided into six groups and composed of six rats. Rats were assigned to the following experiments and groups (G): (G1) PTZ 45 mg/kg + DMSO; (G2) PTZ 45 mg/kg + 5 mg/kg quercetin; (G3) PTZ 45 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg quercetin; (G4) PTZ 45 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg quercetin; (G5) PTZ 45 mg/kg + 40 mg/kg quercetin; (G6) Picrotoxin 5 mg/kg + DMSO; (G7) Picrotoxin 5 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg quercetin; (G8) Picrotoxin 5 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg quercetin. In all groups quercetin were injected 30 min before PTZ and picrotoxin applications. RESULTS: Compared to PTZ, quercetin significantly prolonged onset of the seizure in 10 mg/kg (P < 0.05) and reduced the seizure stage in 10 mg/kg quercetin injected group (P < 0.01). Compared to PTZ, quercetin also declined the generalized seizure duration at 10 mg/kg (P < 0.01) and 20 mg/kg (P < 0.05) doses. At the doses of 5 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg quercetin there were no significant changes in seizure parameters. Development of picrotoxin induced seizures is slower than in PTZ. Quercetin was found to be unable to prevent seizure in picrotoxin induced seizures. Surprisingly, quercetin also significantly reduced the onset of seizures at the dose of 20 mg/kg (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: quercetin (at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg i.p) prevented seizures in PTZ (45 mg/kg i.p) induced seizures. Especially, 10 mg/kg PTZ prolonged onset of seizures, reduced the seizure duration and seizure severity score in comparison with control group. At a higher (40 mg/kg) dose quercetin failed to prevent PTZ induced seizures. In addition 20 mg/kg quercetin significantly reduced the onset of seizures that suggest a preconvulsive effect. 20 mg/kg quercetin reduced the onset of picrotoxin induced seizures. In picrotoxin model, it may be claimed that quercetin at higher doses accelerate the epileptic activity owing to its antagonistic effect on GABAA. Further investigations are needed to explore the mechanisms of the antiepileptic and preconvulsant effects of quercetin.

Evaluation of pharyngeal airway space changes after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery with a 3-dimensional simulation and modeling program.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to use 3-dimensional simulation and modeling programs to evaluate the effects of bimaxillary orthognathic surgical correction of Class III malocclusions on pharyngeal airway space volume, and to compare them with the changes in obstructive sleep apnea measurements from polysomnography. METHODS: Twenty-five male patients (mean age, 21.6 years) with mandibular prognathism were treated with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and LeFort I advancement. Polysomnography and computed tomography were performed before surgery and 1.4 ± 0.2 years after surgery. All computed tomography data were transferred to a computer, and the pharyngeal airway space was segmented using SimPlant OMS (Materialise Medical, Leuven, Belgium) programs. The pretreatment and posttreatment pharyngeal airway space determinants in volumetric, linear distance, and cross-sectional measurements, and polysomnography changes were compared with the paired samples t test. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the association between the computed tomography and polysomnography measurements. RESULTS: The results indicated that setback procedures produce anteroposterior narrowing of the pharyngeal airway space at the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal levels and the middle and inferior pharyngeal volumes (P <0.05). In contrast, advancement of the maxilla causes widening of the airway in the nasopharyngeal and retropalatal dimensions and increases the superior pharyngeal volume (P <0.05). Distinctively, bimaxillary orthognathic surgery induces significant increases in the total airway volume and the transverse dimensions of all airway areas (P <0.05). Significant correlations were found between the measurements on the computed tomography scans and crucial polysomnography parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery for correction of Class III malocclusion caused an increase of the total airway volume and improvement of polysomnography parameters. A proposed treatment plan can be modified according to the risk of potential airway compromise or even to improve it with 3-dimensional imaging techniques and polysomnography.

Effect of sintering on the microstructural and mechanical properties of meleagris gallopova hydroxyapatite.

In this study, we obtained hydroxyapatite powders from the femur bones of meleagris gallopova at three steps and sintered at five different temperatures. The reactions, which occur during sintering of obtained powders, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The mechanical properties of meleagris gallopova hydroxyapatite powders were determined by the measurements of density, hardness, porosity, activation energy for grain growth, variation of average grain sizes, fracture toughness and compression strength. The Fourier transform infrared spectra and the thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis thermograms of meleagris gallopova hydroxyapatite powders indicated that the presence of organic compounds were completely removed from the matrice. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that decomposition of meleagris gallopova hydroxyapatite into tricalcium phosphate and calcium oxide was observed for the sintered samples at 1300°C. At the same temperature, formation of microcracks were also detected by scanning electron microscopy image. Mechanical tests showed that maximum hardness, fracture toughness and compression strength values were measured for the sintered samples at 1200°C.

Expressions of TRPM6 and TRPM7 and histopathological evaluation of tissues in ischemia reperfusion performed rats.

There is very little work on the expression of TRPM6/7 in ischemia reperfusion models. In previous studies, after ischemia, reperfusion had been kept limited to 24 h, yet in our study, expressions of these channels were elucidated after its modification to 48 h to establish what kind of changes renal tissues undergo. For the current study, 20 Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups equally. Group I: control group, Group II = I/R group (60 min ischemia + 48 h reperfusion). For the mRNA analysis, right kidneys of I/R group was used as a reference in order to eliminate genetic differences. The left renal artery (I/R generated part) of I/R area was removed from all rats in the second group. Likewise, normal tissues of right renal artery were removed from all rats. Histopathologic scoring of the tissue samples were achieved semi-quantitatively according to normal tissue composition. Consequently, both TRPM6 and TRPM7 expression levels were decreased in all groups according to control groups, yet results were not counted as significant (p > 0.05). Additionally, correlation analysis confirmed these results. Also, I/R performed kidneys had more tissue damage compared to control group. To conclude, our study results suggest that TRPM6/7 expressions may be increased and after 48 h of reperfusion expression levels of these two stored to normal levels. At the same time, damages have occurred in renal tissues after ischemia. These damages were considered to be resulted from the oxidative effects as previously reported.

Reconstruction with a patient-specific titanium implant after a wide anterior chest wall resection.

The reconstruction of full-thickness chest wall defects is a challenging problem for thoracic surgeons, particularly after a wide resection of the chest wall that includes the sternum. The location and the size of the defect play a major role when selecting the method of reconstruction, while acceptable cosmetic and functional results remain the primary goal. Improvements in preoperative imaging techniques and reconstruction materials have an important role when planning and performing a wide chest wall resection with a low morbidity rate. In this report, we describe the reconstruction of a wide anterior chest wall defect with a patient-specific custom-made titanium implant. An infected mammary tumour recurrence in a 62-year old female, located at the anterior chest wall including the sternum, was resected, followed by a large custom-made titanium implant. Latissimus dorsi flap and split-thickness graft were also used for covering the implant successfully. A titanium custom-made chest wall implant could be a viable alternative for patients who had large chest wall tumours.

Annealing of Co-Cr dental alloy: effects on nanostructure and Rockwell hardness.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of annealing on the nanostructure and hardness of Co-Cr metal ceramic samples that were fabricated with a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of Co-Cr dental alloy samples were manufactured in a rectangular form measuring 4 × 2 × 2 mm. Samples fabricated by a conventional casting technique (Group I) and prefabricated milling blanks (Group II) were examined as conventional technique groups. The DMLS samples were randomly divided into three groups as not annealed (Group III), annealed in argon atmosphere (Group IV), or annealed in oxygen atmosphere (Group V). The nanostructure was examined with the small-angle X-ray scattering method. The Rockwell hardness test was used to measure the hardness changes in each group, and the means and standard deviations were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA for comparison of continuous variables and Tukey's HSD test was used for post hoc analysis. P values of <.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The general nanostructures of the samples were composed of small spherical entities stacked atop one another in dendritic form. All groups also displayed different hardness values depending on the manufacturing technique. The annealing procedure and environment directly affected both the nanostructure and hardness of the Co-Cr alloy. Group III exhibited a non-homogeneous structure and increased hardness (48.16 ± 3.02 HRC) because the annealing process was incomplete and the inner stress was not relieved. Annealing in argon atmosphere of Group IV not only relieved the inner stresses but also decreased the hardness (27.40 ± 3.98 HRC). The results of fitting function presented that Group IV was the most homogeneous product as the minimum bilayer thickness was measured (7.11 Å). CONCLUSION: After the manufacturing with DMLS technique, annealing in argon atmosphere is an essential process for Co-Cr metal ceramic substructures. The dentists should be familiar with the materials that are used in clinic for prosthodontics treatments.

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast: a clinicopathologic study of 103 cases of an unusual and highly aggressive variant of breast carcinoma.

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast is an uncommon, highly aggressive breast cancer that may occur in pure and mixed forms. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of pure and mixed IMPC cases diagnosed and treated at our institution. One hundred and three IMPC cases diagnosed at our institution over a period of 19 years have been selected. Clinical, histopathologic features, as well as hormone status and c-erb-B2 overexpression of tumors were re-evaluated. Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared, Kaplan-Meier, and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analyses. Results were considered to be significant at p < 0.05. Twenty cases (19.4%) were pure, and 83 cases (80.6%) were mixed IMPC. The most common nonmicropapillary invasive carcinoma component in mixed cases was invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC; 78.3%). Progesterone receptor was significantly less positive in pure IMPC cases (p = 0.031). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups, in terms of mean age of the patients (53.0 versus 52.8), mean tumor size (26.6 mm versus 27.7 mm), presence of high-grade tumor (p = 0.631), presence of sentinel lymph node (SN) metastasis (p = 1.000), axillary lymph node metastasis (p = 1.000), lymphatic invasion (p = 1.000) and blood vessel invasion (p = 0.475), c-erbB-2 overexpression of tumor cells (p = 0.616), distant metastasis (p = 0.549), or overall survival (p = 0.759). The local recurrence rate of the two groups was not statistically significant either (16.7% versus 4.3%). However, local recurrence was detected 12% more commonly (p = 0.100), and ~8 months earlier (p = 0.967) in pure IMPC cases, compared to mixed cases. In addition, presence of local recurrence was found to be statistically significantly associated with estrogen receptor (ER) status (p = 0.004), progesterone receptor (PR) status (p = 0.001), and c-erb-B2 overexpression (p = 0.016) in all patients. Overall survival rate was significantly associated with ER staining of the tumor (log-rank = 0.028). Our findings suggest that hormone receptor negativity may explain the more aggressive behavior of pure IMPC compared to mixed cases. Besides, longer survival period of patients with ER positivity, and the relationship of hormone status and c-erb-B2 overexpression and local recurrence further support favorable prognostic value of hormone receptors in invasive breast cancer.

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis: Not a true hyperplasia, just proliferation!

There are several tumor-like lesions and miscellaneous neoplasms of the rete testis. We present a case with adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis (AHRT). The patient was 24 years old with undescended testis and was referred to our hospital. There were no clinical or endocrine abnormalities. Cryptorchidism was unilateral and the other testis was normal. Right orchiectomy was performed and sent to the pathology laboratory for examination. Morphologic and immunohistochemistry findings confirmed the diagnosis of AHRT in this case. The patient's postoperative course continues uneventfully. AHRT is a rare lesion and can be confused with malignancy. It is incidentally detected in microscopic investigation. It may present as a very small lesion detected in microscopic examination or a solid-cystic mass lesion which is macroscopically evident. Clinical history, localization, histologic features and immunohistochemistry are criteria for differentiating these lesions. We present this rare case for both surgeons and pathologists due to its importance as it can be confused with malignancy.